Au Revoir Hallmark

After 14 years at the Hallmark Store, I've finally hung up my apron.  I started out of high school, to help pay for college and my first car.  When I graduated it became my part-time job to help supplement the income from my full-time job and pay down student loans.  When my company folded unexpectedly, it was there to offer full-time hours while searching for a new job.  Once I was on steadier feet, it helped me get my credit in order so I could buy my house.  Then, it was a security blanket - something stashed in my back pocket to protect me from the dark. 

The women that I have known through the years have taught me so much about life and friendship.  They helped me grow up and were a substitute family when my own was unwelcoming.  My first realization of my own mortality happened with the death of my manager's daughter (I was 21, the girl was 18).  With the passing of a co-worker in our main office, I've seen the new generation of Hallmark girls experience the same realization (Our co-worker was 32, the next gens are 18-21).  I know that I have contributed to their maturation as much as those that helped me.  We've seen marriages, divorces, and pregnancies over the years.  We've welcomed people back when they were down on their luck and then wished them all the best when they find a better opportunity.  We've developed bonds with customers and looked for them at our major events year after year.

My chapter in this story has come to an end, but the book is not yet finished.  There will be so many other women to pass through those doors and life will continue to go on inside those walls.  The cramped back room with minimal storage space for product, larger than expected shipments, late night stocking and display changes while management is cursed.  Friendships will flourish, secrets will be shared and kept, confidence will be gained.  People will be stretched to their limits, pick up extra hours to makes ends meet, and some will move on.

School Planning (Spring 2013-Semester)

I created a spreadsheet to list all of the required classes, and the estimated semesters I would take them, to see when my potential graduation date would be.  If I only take two classes a semester and give myself a break for the winter (meaning I take two classes in the Summer as well as the Fall and Spring), then I could graduate in 2017.  If I take three classes in the Spring or Fall for the undergrad requirements, I could graduate in 2015 or 2016.  I don't want to push myself to the point of breaking, but I honestly think I could have handled three classes this semester.

So, as of right now, I am registered for ACCT301 (Intermediate Accounting), ACCT341 (Cost Accounting), and PHIL371(Business Ethics).  I'm hoping the accounting classes won't be too difficult, especially since it's been over a semester since I had to think that way.  My current accounting class is Information Systems and focuses more on the processes than the recording.  My other classmates recommend taking Cost Accounting and the first Intermediate together as they are complementary, so hopefully that's true.  But I will have class on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights.

I think I definitely need to let Hallmark know that I need to focus on school and my day job.  I'm hoping I can get my finances in order enough that I don't need the second job at all.  It's also going to be more money for the semester and overall I'll pay more out of pocket.  But if it means I can get my degree, and a better salary, sooner it's probably worth it.  Mostly, I'm just worried about stressing myself out too much.

A Crossroads 2

I have to call and set up an interview for this week.  Turns out that my transcripts and mostly accounting background didn't scare off the powers that be at the Grant Writing job.  I am still unsure of what to do should this interview also go well and they potentially offer me the position.

Part of me feels so disloyal and deceitful.  I mean I like my job and my on-site supervisor.  There is no reason I would seek out another job, this opportunity just happened to find me.  But I also know that if they had to downsize for any reason, as much as they like the work I do and value me as an employee, it wouldn't be personal.  So I really can't view this the same way, should I actually get a job offer that presents a better opportunity.

Things I know about my current job:

• I've been doing the same thing for the last three years.
• There was talk of promoting me to something, but that disappeared when my old boss left for a different job.
• I don't have a clear cut path for promotion or advancement within the company
• They will pay up to $5000 a year for my business school education
• My current salary is about $45K a year - with bonuses and school reimbursement

So I would need to determine what this new job would pay, then what kind of career ladder we're talking about.

The Terrible Trivium

If you have ever seen the Phantom Tollbooth, or read the book, you may be familiar with The Terrible Trivium, a demon of the Mountains of Ignorance.

B-School Prep: Quizno's Article on NPR

On the ride into work today I heard the following: Quizno's NPR Article.

It really made me think about the degree I am attempting to pursue as it involved the flow of business.  An interesting perspective on franchises and corporate offices, too.  I haven't really thought about how Hallmark and my store interact on the financial side of things.  My focus is limited to the monthly inspections we get from the corporate office to make sure we're maintaining the Hallmark Core Values.

There are some materials/merchandise we must purchase directly from Hallmark.  The cards are the obvious example and honoring the gold crown coupons is similar to Quizno's buy one get one free deal.  (Because the coupons are only allowed to be used on Hallmark merchandise and we have to buy that directly from the corporation.)  Though we are reimbursed for the cost of the items sold so it's not like we're out that money like the Quizno's franchises.  We just don't make a profit from the sale of those items, so it's a loss of potential income I suppose.

I kind of feel like an apprentice watch maker on his first day.  There are these inner workings that I have taken for granted my entire life and learning some of the basics has widened my perspective of the world.  All this from just one Accounting I class, imagine what I could do with an entire Masters Degree!

B-School Applications: Resume

I would have to say that this portion of the Business School application is proving most challenging.  I know that if one is applying for a job one should keep the resume to one page, but is that also true for Business School?  What exactly should I highlight on this resume since I'm not applying for a job?

I have seen more than one website that clearly states the Business School Application does not adhere to the same rules one would use for a job-seeking resume.  I have also seen a number of testimonials from those reading applications saying they look at the resume first so students should spend more time and effort crafting it.

I feel that I have a solid Accounting Resume and would be extremely confident if I were applying for an accounting job.  But Accounting school is way more intimidating.

A Crossroads

This weekend, I had one of the Dads' bar friends ask me to submit my resumé to him.  He works for the government, specifically Health and Human Services.  He overheard me talking to his wife about my grad school application process and asked Dad a lot of questions about me at the next gathering.  The job he specifically has in mind: Grant Writing.  I said that I would submit my resumé and thanked him for thinking of me.  It's difficult to really talk about all the thoughts that run through one's head when someone asks for your resumé out of the blue like that.  So it's always best to just say thank you and I will.

Of course, now I am faced with all the crippling thoughts that come with contemplating the future and choices that must be made.  To begin with, I have already started the wheels in motion for an advanced degree in Accounting.  Five years ago, I would have been jumping up and down at the prospect of a job in Grant Writing.  Now I am a little more cautious as I don't know what this means for the plans I have started to lay down, nor do I want to dismiss an excellent opportunity without really considering all the options.  But the bigger question is what do I really want to be doing five years from now?

I know from the class I took this summer that I am actually quite good at accounting and I do get a measure of satisfaction knowing I am not just a "words" person.  Learning accounting would be tied up with the building blocks of business management and that's always useful knowledge.  But then getting in with a government job is difficult and if I am to attain my dream of working at the Library of Congress, whether as Librarian or Accountant, this would be a useful step.  Once in the government I would have the ability to move from job to job without losing years of service.  Unlike the private sector where a new start with a new company means starting over again, unless other terms are negotiated. 

But the opportunity for advancement can be greater in the private sector.  It's like picking investments for one's 401(k); do you go with high risk since you have time before retirement or do you go slow and steady?  One could have greater earning potential if the markets are in your favor, but you could also lose everything and not have enough to retire.  The same is true for the low risk investments, too, but it tends to be more stable.

I must not get ahead of myself.  Submitting a resumé does not mean one will get a job or even a job offer.  I submitted enough of them when I was unemployed to know that better than anyone.  But when the friend of a family member makes a point to ask, the likelihood that one will have to accept or decline something greatly increases.  And, of course, the part that is bothering me is that someone somewhere will have to be disappointed.

B-School Essay : Short-Term/Long-Term Goals

American University requires a 500 word essay on my short-term and long-term goals and how that applies to my education at their university.  Between this and the optional personal statement, it's my opportunity to show them something special about me.  I've always been a writer, sometimes brilliant but most of the time adequate.  I know that this is one of my strengths as a candidate and I need to focus on the best way to display that.

But I feel like I've never had training in this and I'm so rusty my fingers practically creaked when I started working on the rough drafts.  The personal statement went pretty easily, maybe a little dramatic, but that's acceptable.  It's the short-term/long-term goal essay that I think I've completely lost sight of the path.  I could easily say "here's my short-term goal,"  "here's my long-term goal," now please let me give you my monies in exchange for goods and/or services.  But I think the people reading the essays will be so bored with that format.  I wanted to make it entertaining to read so that I would stick out in their minds, but I am afraid it may have gone the other way.  I would definitely stick out in their minds, but not necessarily in a good way.

So I've sent off the rough drafts to people I trust for evaluation.  I have a little over a month to send in the application for a merit scholarship consideration.  I don't know that I would merit one, given my GPA and GMAT score, but I don't want to miss the opportunity for the possibility.

I'm excited about this.  I'm also stressed about it, but it's got me thinking in terms I don't use every day.  It is something different to stimulate my brain and, so far, it's pretty cool.

The Times, They Are A Changin'

I saw a post on Facebook today that made me realize I'm moving into the next phase of Hallmark life.  There was a time when the "kids" would get together after work for some much needed down/bitch time.  We would go to dinners together, or hang out at some one's house, etc.  There was a time when I was invited to those.

I completely understand the need to have fun time with one's co-workers outside of work, especially at Hallmark and especially at Christmastime.  That being said, there are certain people that wouldn't make it the cathartic experience it needs to be.   I've usually straddled that line; hanging out with the "kids" or  relaxing with the "ladies."  But I might have officially crossed over that "kid" line.  I am not upset that I wasn't invited, that's not the point.  It's just a realization that time progresses and things move on.

It's sort of a Hallmark No-man's land.   I'm not quite old enough to be part of the "ladies,"  I don't have their life experiences or worries.  And I don't have the same perspective that the "girls" have anymore.  I have more concrete worries and responsibilities; a better understanding of how things work or need to work.  Hallmark isn't my career but then it's not my until I'm finished with school job either.  All the "girls' I started with, twelve years ago, have gone off into their respective careers and started families, etc.  It was about my age when my decade buddy left Hallmark to have her first child.

I wonder if she felt the way I do about Hallmark when she was in my shoes.

One Week

In exactly one week, I will turn in my last test for Principles of Accounting I and my summer semester class will be over.  I have to say that I will be glad to get what little free time I have back.  But the question is: now what?

I started this class as a way to fulfill my training requirement for my yearly review as well as a way to discover if Accounting was something I would like to pursue professionally.  I could certainly keep working like I have been and just take what is given to me.  But, inspired by my sister, I realize that I should be more proactive in this part of my life and make things better for myself. 

So I am looking at the grad programs at Towson University and University of Baltimore.  The plan, right now, is to focus on taking the GMAT this winter.  Then, I can start applying to schools when I get the results back.  I can take a couple more classes at JCC after I get the GMAT out of the way and that should help with the undergrad GPA problem.  Ideally starting graduate level classes in the fall of 2012. 

I still have to look at the big picture, though.  Like how many classes should I take a semester, how many years will it take me to complete, how much will my company pay for, etc.

Unexpected Uses for Accounting

You know that time of day, when your brain wonders to whatever topic it wants?  It could be anything from Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon and wonder if that Asian actor in the new Spring Commercial is the same guy who played Adam in the Might Morphin Power Rangers Movie to a shame spiral of thoughts that lead one to dark emotional places.  This could happen while one is at work, driving in the car, or trying to go to sleep.

It's whatever time of day you have where your brain is unfocused and allowed to frolic freely in the mine field of your memories.  For me this happens most frequently when I am driving (usually home from work) or when my head hits my pillow.  It will catch on a thought and then chase after it like a ravenous beast.  Due to recent life events, it's usually about how different things are this year as opposed to last year.  Or what could have happened differently from how life is right now.  Or reliving the feeling of those revelations.  Or wondering if there's ever something in his current life that causes him to think of me and regret his choices.  Not just because of the pain he caused but because of me.  Driving home usually has me wondering what I would say if he ever came back and wanted a second chance.  Which is really very silly.

I have found that the confusing nature of Debits and Credits in accounting has given me an alternative.  Doing well in this Principles of Accounting Class is important to me and the plans I am making for my future.  Most of it is pretty easy to grasp since I can relate it to work I am currently doing, but most of it doesn't come second nature and I have to really work my way through a problem.  So in these times, where my mind is sabotaging my recovery, I have started thinking about the Accounting Equation and which parts have increases in debits and which have increases in credits.  It gives me focus on something positive and helps to reinforce the knowledge I am gaining.  Win/Win.

Harry Potter - The End of an Era

The final installment of the Harry Potter movies will be released this weekend.  I am actually quite excited to see this film and then go back and read the books all over again.  I don't feel the sense of  "I'm so sad it's over" that I felt when I read the last book back in 2007.  (Oh, god, has it been that long...)  Reading the series and awaiting the new books to come out was an amazing experience and I am glad I was able to be a part of it.

I absolutely refused to read the books when they first came out.  I insisted that children's books were for children and the phenomenon was ridiculous.  I was wrong.  It wasn't until my part-time retail job started selling the Harry Potter knick-knacks that I felt I should read at least one.  It was the salesman instinct in me that said I should know what I'm talking about if I'm going to sell it to people.  And that was it.  I loved them.  I talked to my friends about the possible endings, read anything J.K. would tease us with, and enjoyed being part of a community that spanned the globe. 

The movies don't have quite the same intrigue that the books had, but they do signal the end of that era.  It seems like a lot of things are coming to a close on this, my thirtieth year.  And I have to go back to that Tim McGraw song about my next thirty years.

Shaking Things Up At Work

I caught a little bit of a where-is-my-life-going depression this evening.  We've had all kinds of changes at my day job; people have been laid-off, departments have been restructured, and I report to a new boss.  I wasn't too upset about it because the changes made sense.  I work with data entry and inventory management within our accounting system, so it made sense that they would put me with the Materials department instead of the Contracts department where I was.  New boss man seems really nice and easy-going and my day-to-day isn't going to change that much, so it's really not a problem.

But they changed my title.  I was an Accounting Assistant and now I am the Materials Assistant.  Again, it makes sense and nothing is really going to change.  But the requirements for my job, minimum is a high school diploma though they prefer someone with a Bachelor's sort of shook me up.  Then I went to Hallmark and they asked me to check in some product we'd received.  It wasn't until I sat down at the computer and clicked on the Receiving Button that I realized I am still doing the same exact job I did when I was 22.  The title isn't even that different.

Granted, it's for an entirely different company and the benefits/salary are much better than anything I had when I was the Merchandise Assistant at Hallmark.  It did make me wonder if accounting is really something for me, though.  Because I haven't really done any "real" accounting.  And am I nothing more than an assistant?  How do I get out of that?  The whole thing just made me really question if my life is truly different from what it was 8 years ago.  Shouldn't there a different type of growth?

This realignment of departments in the company will give me more opportunities for advancement, but I'm not sure in which direction exactly.  Am I really in a career?  If so, is it the career I really want to be in?

There's a First Time for Everything

I have worked at Hallmark for nearly 12 years now.  Of that time, I've been a key holder/night manager for about 9 of them.  In all that time, I've never had to write up a single employee for anything.  Granted there were things that happened that resulted in an employee's termination, but they weren't the kind of things one could prove immediately and write up for their record.

Last night, I caught A.P. using her cell phone at the register.  This is a big deal in the Hallmark world as cell phones really aren't allowed in the building let alone the sales floor.  My manager makes an exception for that cell phone rule, letting people keep them in their purse or locker, in case of emergencies.  But, while on duty, the cell phone is never to leave the back room.  It was only a few weeks ago that I caught A.P. with her cell phone at the register and told her to put it in her locker and never bring it out again. 

Under the Hallmark rules, if I find someone with their cell phone on the floor, I am supposed to send them home immediately and call the store manager to come in and cover the rest of the shift.  Then the employee that was sent home has to come in before their next shift and have a talk with the manager.  Now, I think this is extreme and no one really wants to call the manager in on her night off.  So I give the girls a verbal warning.  I explain what the rules are and what I should do when they break them, but that I think those are extreme measures and hope they realize how lucky they are that it was me that caught them and not the manager who would fire them on the spot.  I make them put their phone directly into their locker and warn them that the next time I see it, I will have to write them up and contact the manager.

Normally, this is the end of it.  If the girls do have their cell phones out on the floor after that, they are sure not to let me find out about it.  Or the instances are far enough apart that I don't remember giving them their first warning and they get another.  But last night, after I had given a verbal warning less than two weeks ago, A.P. blatantly checks her cell phone while she's standing right next to me at the register.  I ask her, "is that your cell phone in your pocket?"  Cause she hadn't exactly pulled it out in the open, but I know the checking messages on the cell phone in my pocket posture.  She reaches into the opposite pocket on her apron and pulls out her chap stick and tells me no, she was just playing with the cap on her chap stick.  I look at her, "Seriously?  Go put your phone in your locker."  Since it was after 8:00pm I did not send her home, but I did write her up. 

The part that bothers me is that, I'm pretty laid back in my managerial style there.  I expect that the basic rules are obeyed and everyone will do their job with at least a minimum effort.  But I am not hyper about it, I don't create a stressful environment and I'm understanding about most things.  I don't like getting people in trouble, but I can't ignore that level of disrespect and I have to do my job.  Twice in less than two weeks, and to be foolish enough to do it right in front of me.  I spend a lot of time on projects and things that will keep me away from the register, so if I know that this behavior has occurred then I know that it's affecting the customer service.

Baby Steps

I have officially taken the first step towards the possibility of grad/business school.  I left work about a half an hour early yesterday to meet with an advisor at CCBC so I could register for the Accounting Class they are offering in the second half of the Summer Semester.  It wasn't nearly as painful as I thought it would be, though putting the entire class on my credit card smarts a bit.  I was able to get advised in 10 minutes, then I went over to the registration desk for final approval.  I even had time to pay for the class before I left to hang out with my friend.  All total, it took me about 40 minutes.

So, I am signed up for an accounting class.  Provided I get an A, my company will reimburse 100% of the costs.  This would be lovely as it makes me cringe to see it on my credit card right now.  If I like the class and do well in it, then I will take Accounting II in the fall.  If I don't, then I will sign up for Technical Writing.  In the meantime, I will study for either the GMAT or the GRE (depending on how this class goes) and take one of those before the holidays this year.  Then I can seriously apply to grad/business schools for Fall 2012.  It's kind of scary, actually.  It's a plan and it's been set in motion.

In other news, this made me smile today:

http://consumerist.com/2011/05/not-even-a-trenta-can-hold-this-many-starbucks.html

Transcripts, Classes, Reimbursements, oh my!

I went to see my HR representative today.  After my review with the Boss Lady, I figured I should look into what options the company had to offer in terms of educational pursuits.  Turns out that I could get a 100% reimbursement if my final grade is an A and I don't use financial aid.  I don't know what it would be if I had financial aid, but I'll have to look into it if I go to Grad School for real. 
For now, I am just looking at a class over the summer at the local community college. (I've ordered my transcripts from undergrad and will try and stop over at the advisors in the next few days.) It will be Principles of Accounting I, so we'll see how that goes.  If I find it as frustrating as my sister is, then it's probably not the right path for me and I will be back at the starting line trying to figure out what career to pursue.  If it's something that, at least, makes sense to me and I don't completely hate, then it could be a great option as I already have several years in the field as an Accounting Clerk/Assistant.

I just want to be more financially stable and eventually have the ability to quit Hallmark AND afford to buy a house in the next five years.  Maybe these are high expectations, but I have to have something to aim for or I will spend the next ten years running around in circles thinking things are "good enough."

Annual Review @ Work

This morning my boss called me into her office and I figured I knew what it was about since I had just had the thought driving in that it would be time for my annual review soon.  As of April 21st,  I will have been employed at my job for two years.  Once I reach that anniversary, I will earn an extra week of vacation a year (or three extra days for this particular calendar year since it's a late date).

Boss Lady had a lot of nice things to say about me and told me how much she appreciated what I did.  It was actually really uplifting to hear.  We also talked about me taking a class at the community college, most likely over the summer, and seeing how that goes.  How it might be something I would like to pursue and what oppotunities exist in the company for me.

Selfishness?

It's very easy to get wrapped up in the tragedy of own lives and forget the struggles and pains of others.  Mine has been so loud in my ears that it has drowned out the words and kindnesses of others.  It's made me feel alone in a crowd.  I feel like there is no one to see me, the real me, the me inside.  Like I am on the peripheral of people's lives after having been in the center ring of someone's, even if for a short period of time; a side character in someone else's sitcom.  This feeling has not yet gone away, nor has it really diminished, but I have been reminded that there are worse things in this world.

I spent my day off on Saturday in DC with a dear friend, her husband and an old school friend of hers.  I wasn't really myself, but I was there and that was important for me.  She and her friend hadn't seen each other in 11 years and spent a good deal of time catching up.  Mostly talking about their chronic illnesses.  This is something I will readily admit, I have a hard time listening to in general.  My mother had some serious emotional health issues a few years ago and leaned rather heavily upon me.  So much so that I have to check myself whenever someone mentions Fibromyalgia or other unexplained chronic pain problems.  I know that these are legitimate problems for other people, but my knee-jerk reaction always takes me to that place where I dealt with my mother.  These are my issues, not theirs and I always try to keep an open mind about it.  My friend talked about her own depression, related to her health problems, and the feeling of helplessness she had and I felt like a total asshole.  She talked about having a tough time and not wanting to do things with people and how people just stopped calling her to hang out.  I was one of those people.  I'd tried to get a children's group started with her around that time in her life and had only been frustrated by her inability to make plans and attend events the way I was.  I just didn't understand and, dealing with my mom's issues at the same time, I didn't really try.

As it turns out, my friend's friend had major health problems last summer (of the Ulcerative Colitis variety) and actually had her colon removed late last year.  I connected with her on Facebook today, and Ravelry since she is a crafter by trade.  In doing so, I discovered her website and blog.  I read through a couple of her entries and was just overwhelmed by this feeling of selfishness.  She talks openly and honestly about her health problems and what she experienced.  I've spent the last few weeks torn up by this simple thing of a broken heart and I haven't had to experience any of the frightening things she talks about in her entries.  Yes, I had the gall bladder problem last summer, but that's about the scariest thing I've had to deal with in a very long time.

Today, my boss asked me how I was doing.  I said, "fine."  I didn't really want to get into things at work.  One never wants to over share, you know.  But then she asked me if I'd heard from him and of course that set me off.  I had to tell her about my discoveries last weekend and the message I'd received this weekend.  She was very sympathetic and supportive.  Told me she felt I was dealing with it very well all things considered and that I had to look at the big picture.  She reminded me that it was okay to be angry and sad and feel the way I did and I shouldn't feel bad about it.  But I know that her husband is still in the hospital after a couple of weeks.  He has a major infection in his body that they can't determine the cause of the cure right now.  It has to be incredibly frightening for her and her family.  Yet she sat and listened to me; told me the story about how she met her husband and assured me that there would be something similar in my future.

My own dear friend, M, is going through his own heartbreak.  His was much more serious, much longer in time and much deeper in mutual attachment.  Though he's had a few months to work through it.  But he will sit and listen to me complain about everything.  He's a much better friend to me than I've been to him lately.

I am sad, I am angry, I am confused.  I feel alone, I feel unlovable, I feel diminished.  All of these things are valid emotions, but I can't let them be like a train in the background of my interactions with people.  I need to remember that we all have our struggles and if all I have to worry about is my broken heart, I should count myself lucky.  I have my health, I have a good job, I am going to Ireland, I have family and friends that care about me even when they don't see me.  I've worked very hard on improving my life and I am starting to see that work pay off, I just need to realize that this break-up is not the worst thing that will happen to me and I can't let it overshadow all of the good things I do have nor let it break down those positive habits I've set in place.

Government Shutdown

I am a bit concerned about things in my personal life right now, as you may have been able to tell, and as much as I am trying to care about the important day to day things I just can't.  But in a effort to write about something other than my broken heart and keep something interesting for the casual reader, may I present this Washington Post Article.

We had a meeting at work that came up very suddenly on every one's calendar at 1:30pm, it was the same exact time as my Weight Watchers at Work meeting so I was not in attendance (I've also lost 37 pounds officially, but I'm not excited about it right now), but the gist was that with the impending Government shut down we weren't getting as many orders and had to restructure.  (a.k.a. there are a few layoffs.)  9 people were laid off, including a program director for one of the programs I work with.  This has me a little bit concerned on many levels. 

On one hand, my co-workers are working extra hard and willing to take on any extra tasks to prove that they are needed and useful.  I have no motivation to do my regular work right now let alone try to kiss up to the big cogs in the wheel.  Which does not look good at all, I am sure, but my boss is aware of what's happening with me right now and I've proven myself in the past.  As long as this apathy to everything doesn't continue an abnormally long time, I should be fine.

On the other hand, I wonder how bad things really are in the Government Contractor field.  Not to mention the Government Sector.  Do I really want to pursue an education in Library Science in order to get a job with a government office?  The last time we had a government shut-down was apparently 1995-1996 and a lot of people had to take time off without pay.  Is a Government Job really as secure as I've always thought it was?

Editors

My work blog asked for entries on Travel from the employees, so I submitted one about my trip to London several  years ago.  Today, I get an edited version of the entry and was asked to okay it for posting tomorrow.  Thankfully, I read it before I said anything.  I know that the girl who does this at work works on the blog in her free-time and it's not necessarily one of her job duties.  And for this, I am very thankful.

She cut out the entire point of one of the paragraphs.  I was talking about my trip to St. Paul's Cathedral and how my father and I didn't realize our voices would carry in the Whispering Gallery.  We were being critical of the guard's attire and duties and the guy obviously heard us because we heard a disembodied voice say, "there are no secrets in the whispering gallery."  We looked up and the guard was staring straight at us.  Why we didn't realize our voices would carry in the Whispering Gallery of all places, I do not know.  But the girl cut out the part about my dad and I talking smack.  So it really read, "I went to see the whispering gallery and the guard said,blah, on our way out." 

Then she edited a part about the Globe Theatre with a small sentence about the Millennium Bridge so that it looks like my father and I had a discussion about British Television and Shakespeare on the actual bridge.  What I wrote was that the women who gave the tour at the Globe looked like a character on "Keeping up Appearances," and she couldn't believe we like Titus Andronicus.  Very different, indeed.

I edited it myself, taking out the story about the Globe Theatre, and got it down to one print page for the blog.  So hopefully there aren't any further edits to my stuff.  I'm not saying I am a great writer, I would say I am pretty mediocre at best, but there are things I would never, never do.  Like this sentence, which was edited into my blog: "the daunting task of climbing the daunting trip to the top."  That's when I knew I had to completely rewrite this entry for work.  I write many of these entries hastily and don't go back and edit properly, but for work I wanted to make sure it was the best I had to offer.